Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier Personality
Paw Print Bullet Hailing from the Scotland Highlands and the Isle of Skye in the 17th century, the Cairn takes his name from stone piles — aka “cairns” — where he hunted out foxes, badger and otters
A working dog with plenty of spunk that needs both physical and mental stimulation
Lively, self-assured, rugged, clever, jovial little dog
Paw Print Bullet The Cairn gained enormous popularity after a Cairn played Toto in the Wizard of Oz
The British Cairn club affectionately calls the Cairn “the best little pal in the world”
Originally known as the “Short-Haired Skye Terrier” given his similarity and close relation to the Skye Terrier

Cairn Terrier Size
Paw Print Bullet 13-18 pounds
9-13 inches at the withers (shoulders)

Cairn Terrier Family and Home
Paw Print Bullet An extremely loyal family dog with low grooming needs but high exercise requirements
Known to be very good with children however he should always be supervised as he will not tolerate harsh handling
Adapts easily to new environments; suited for both urban or suburban living as long as he has plenty of walks where he can sniff all the smells in the neighborhood and meet-n-greet different people and dogs
Paw Print Bullet The Cairn is a great dog for active people who want a companion; Cairns like nothing better than to explore and walk with the leader of the pack, their owner
Owners must be confident and firm so the Cairn does not try to be the boss

Cairn Terrier Bark
Paw Print Bullet Cairns are enthusiastic barkers especially when showing their concern or enthusiasm for any given situation; that being said they will likely need some training to curb their enthusiasm

Cairn Terrier Training
Paw Print Bullet Carins are a feisty breed that need behavioral guidance and obedience training early on lest they rule the roost
Short, repetitive, upbeat, interesting sessions will keep the Cairn’s wandering attention span; reward-based or food-based training can only help
Early socialization with other dogs is key to having a friendly well-liked dog rather than a bossy little terrier

Cairn Terrier Exercise
Paw Print Bullet An active breed that needs lots of physical and mental stimulation
Requires regular vigorous walks as well as off-leash play in a completely secured area
Training exercises, fetch or agility are good tools to keep the Cairn busy
Although this is a small dog he has big exercise needs
Paw Print Bullet If a Cairn is off-leash and sees something to chase…he is gone

Cairn Terrier Coat
Paw Print Bullet Coats come in wheat, gray, near black, red and cream; black hair is commonly mixed in each color
Wiry weatherproof coat requires minimal grooming; a weekly brushing to remove dead hairs and keep coat clean is recommended
Cairns feature a double coat; soft, thick under coat and wiry, rough outer coat

Cairn Terrier Care
Paw Print Bullet Provided a Cairn is given enough exercise and training he does not have any major maintenance concerns aside from a brief weekly grooming

Cairn Terrier Health
Paw Print Bullet A rugged little breed that is sometimes prone to kneecap dislocation, inverted eyelids, Von Willebrand disease, hypothyroidism, cataracts, glaucoma and skin disorders

Cairn Terrier Lifespan
Paw Print Bullet 13-14 years

To learn more about Cairns or to find rescued Cairns in need of homes, visit the Cairn Terrier Club of America.

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